Violante stopped.
He smiled.
"Because Cristiano Ronaldo was unstoppable in attack? Because you cut off the link between Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart in midfield, constantly launched dangerous attacks, and even scored the winner yourself?"
Ronaldo laughed immediately.
That's right.
Unstoppable.
Mr. Violante understands football.
But inside, Violante had already begun deducting points for Kai.
Kai's intelligence had exceeded his expectations.
Just from that earlier exchange with Triguera, Kai had already figured out his likely role in Portugal U16.
No wonder he was a scholarship student at the University of Lisbon.
But in Violante's eyes, Kai's mistake was trying to show off too much.
Wasn't beating the Ajax Twins partly luck?
Why keep pushing the narrative?
Trying to force his way into the midfield setup like this?
That could backfire.
Triguera clearly sensed Violante's shift in attitude. His expression changed slightly, and he tried to interrupt.
But Kai spoke first.
"Because they were too conservative. They didn't dare use a double attacking midfielder system."
Triguera froze.
Double attacking midfielders?
Violante's earlier judgment about Kai was momentarily forgotten.
"You mean deploying Van der Vaart and Sneijder together as attacking midfielders?"
Kai nodded.
"Yes. That's the only way they could have beaten us with real certainty."
"The only way?" Violante pressed.
"The only way," Kai replied firmly.
"Van der Vaart can only sustain high-intensity play for about sixty minutes. After that, even if he still poses a threat, his overall contribution starts declining."
"A frontcourt core slowing down doesn't just reduce attacks. A player's value isn't linear."
"It's a curve. A wave. Sometimes it drops from peak to negative in an instant."
"Our second-half chances increased dramatically because we won possession from Van der Vaart too often."
"Even though Sneijder can play deeper, he's far more dangerous in the attacking midfielder role. But someone like him shouldn't sit on the bench for sixty or seventy minutes as Van der Vaart's substitute."
"Waste is a crime."
Violante felt indirectly challenged—but couldn't pinpoint anything wrong.
"What about defense?" Violante countered. "After seventy minutes, if I sub Van der Vaart for a defensive midfielder and push Sneijder forward, Ajax could still beat you."
Kai shook his head.
"That means Ajax is choosing a defensive posture."
"In that case, we automatically become the main attacking side. Sneijder's role shifts higher, but Ajax still lacks another Van der Vaart."
"And you already said Cristiano Ronaldo is unstoppable. One more defensive midfielder wouldn't solve that problem."
Violante fell silent.
"In fact, Sneijder moving forward wouldn't significantly weaken Ajax's defense. His defensive awareness is slightly better than Van der Vaart's."
"The key is high pressing. Under full attack–full defense tactics, high-position pressing suffocates opponents before they can build."
"When a team is pressed, they only have one escape—long balls."
"Our midfield and backline height gave us a huge aerial advantage. If they went wide, we regained possession."
Kai deliberately said "we," not "Sporting Lisbon."
Because the same tactical concept could apply to Portugal U16.
Violante was a known 4-3-3 enthusiast.
He understood the offensive power of dual advanced midfielders.
After a pause, he looked at Kai.
"You're ambitious. But physically, you're not fully ready."
Kai didn't avoid his gaze.
He didn't shrink because of his size.
"My frontcourt pressing numbers are elite. I adapt quickly."
"In frontfield defensive statistics, I outperform more than 95% of Portuguese youth players."
"Cristiano Ronaldo, Hugo Almeida, Ricardo Quaresma—this forward line is dazzling. A perfect chance to produce results."
"But one engine means idle firepower."
"The talent drought in Portuguese youth development is approaching. Opportunities for youth coaches to stand out are shrinking."
"And the Golden Generation set standards so high that ordinary success isn't impressive anymore."
"How far Portugal U16 goes in the European Championship is one thing."
"How beautiful the football looks—and how emphatic the scorelines are—is another."
Kai spoke fluently.
Even Ronaldo looked confused.
Weren't they analyzing Ajax vs Sporting?
How did this become a speech about ambition, systems, and the European Championship?
Violante burst into laughter.
"Kid, how many people have you fooled with speeches like that?"
Kai didn't deny it.
He nodded.
"Yes."
"But the interesting thing is—everything I said came true."
"Coach Marques is now rising rapidly in youth football."
"Journalist Jiang Yunzhu has become a key figure at Record."
"My good friend Cristiano Ronaldo has become a Portuguese phenomenon."
"Miguel Veloso went from an overlooked center-back to the best defensive midfielder in U15."
"There's something there."
"You, me, Mr. Triguera—we all see it."
"It just depends on who has the courage to take it."
Kai wasn't exaggerating.
Even without him, Cristiano Ronaldo would still shine.
But not like this.
Over forty league goals.
Over fifty including the UEFA Youth League.
He had already surpassed Almeida and others statistically—though some still rated his raw talent lower.
Violante and Triguera exchanged a look.
Kai hadn't mentioned Triguera by name—but Violante understood.
Triguera's influence inside Sporting Lisbon had grown significantly this year.
From signing Kai when others hesitated, to youth academy disputes with Benfica, to the football lottery controversy, to Sporting U15 reaching the Youth Champions League final—
Kai had been involved in all of it.
Violante would never claim Kai orchestrated everything.
That would be absurd.
But Kai's intelligence, emotional control, and on-field authority clearly mattered.
Violante finally spoke.
"Most people are ordinary."
"But some possess talent and fortune beyond the reach of others."
"I see talent in you."
"As for fortune… that must be proven with trophies."
"I look forward to your performances in the league and the UEFA Youth League."
He turned to leave with Triguera.
Just before disappearing down the corridor, Kai's voice rang out from the office:
"You'll see my photo in the newspaper—lifting both trophies."
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